Mobile communication terminal and method for converting mode of multiparty video call thereof

ABSTRACT

A mobile communication terminal having a multiparty video call function and a method for converting a mode of a multiparty video call are disclosed. The terminal includes an input unit that receives a command for selecting one of phone call modes and a controller that displays a menu for selecting a phone call mode on the display, when a request for a video call or video chatting with the third terminal is wirelessly transmitted or received while the mobile communication terminal is performing video call communication or video chatting, and maintains an established call mode or converts the established call mode to a different phone call mode according to a phone call mode selected through the input unit to perform multiparty video call communication.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This nonprovisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)on Patent Application No. 10-2007 0087233 filed in Republic of Korea onAug. 29, 2007, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This document relates to a mobile communication terminal providing amultiparty video call function and a method for converting a mode of amultiparty video call.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

In the current mobile communication technologies, video calls aretypically implemented in two modes: one-to-one (point-to-point) videocall and one-to-many (point-to-multipoint) video conferencing.

In video conferencing, other people than a host are participating in thevideo conference in the form of a video call, not strictly in the formof video conference in its literal meaning. Without receiving aninvitation from the host, people cannot participate in the videoconversation, so it is difficult to implement the video conference as anactual face-to-face conference.

Meanwhile, during the one-to-one video call communication, it is notpossible to receive voice (audio signal) or a video call of a thirdparty. Namely, the current video call techniques have a limitation inthat when a video call mode is selected and a call is originated in theselected mode, the video call is unconditionally maintained only in theselected video call mode and cannot be converted into a different videocall mode until when the corresponding call is released.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of this document is to provide a mobile communication terminaland computer program product that implements a multiparty video callfunction and a method for converting (changing) a mode of a multipartyvideo call.

In one aspect, a mobile communication terminal having a multiparty videocall function comprises: a display unit that displays a second imagereceived from a second terminal or a third image received from a thirdterminal via a wireless communication module and displays a menu forselecting a phone call mode; and an input unit that receives a commandfor selecting one of phone call modes.

The mobile communication terminal further comprises: a controller thatdisplays a menu for selecting a phone call mode on the display unit whena request for a video call or video chatting with the third terminal istransmitted or received while the mobile communication terminal isperforming video call communication or video chatting, and maintains anestablished call mode or converts the established call mode into adifferent phone call mode according to a phone call mode selected viathe input unit to thus perform multiparty video call communication.

The controller may transmit the menu for selecting a phone call mode tothe third terminal via the communication module.

The phone call mode may comprise at least one of a first phone call modein which the video call or video chatting with the second terminal isput on hold and a video call or video chatting with the third terminalis additionally established, and a second phone call mode in which thevideo call or the video chatting is simultaneously established betweenthe second terminal and the third terminal.

Converting into the second phone call mode may refer to converting froma one-to-one video call mode or a one-to-one video chatting mode withthe second terminal into a multiparty video call mode or a multipartyvideo chatting mode in which the second terminal and the third terminalare simultaneously connected.

When the mobile communication terminal is converted into the secondphone call mode, the controller may divide a screen to display the thirdimage and the second image such that they do not overlap, and when thesecond image or the third image is selected, the controller may displayon the display unit a menu for selecting a phone call mode desired to beconverted in connection with a terminal of the selected image.

When the mobile communication terminal is converted into the first phonecall mode, the controller may display only the third image or divide thescreen to display the third image and the second image such that they donot overlap. When the second image or the third image is selected, thecontroller may display on the display unit the menu for selecting aphone call mode desired to be converted in connection with a terminal ofthe selected image, and establish a video call or video chatting withthe terminal of the selected image while putting on hold the video callor video chatting established with the other remaining terminal.

When the mobile communication is converted into the first phone callmode, the third image and the second image may be discriminatelydisplayed by a tap or an icon. The tap or the icon may be discriminatelydisplayed by at least one of the phone call modes and user informationof each terminal. When one of the tap and the icon is selected, only acorresponding image may be displayed and the controller may establish avideo call or video chatting with a terminal of the corresponding imageand put the video call or video chatting with the other remainingterminal on hold.

In another aspect, a computer program product and a method forconverting a mode of a multiparty video call of a mobile communicationterminal, comprises: wirelessly transmitting/receiving a request for avideo call or video chatting with a third terminal while performingvideo call communication or video chatting with a second terminal;displaying a screen image for selecting one of phone call modes when avideo call is established; selecting a phone call mode via an inputunit; and converting the mobile communication terminal into the selectedphone call mode to perform multiparty video call communication.

When the request for the video call or video chatting is wirelesslytransmitted or received, the mobile communication terminal may beautomatically converted into a pre-set phone call mode to perform themultiparty video call communication.

The method for converting a mode of a multiparty video call of themobile communication terminal may further comprise: converting themobile communication terminal into a different phone call mode duringthe multiparty video call communication.

The method for converting a mode of a multiparty video call of themobile communication terminal may further comprise: wirelesslytransmitting a phone call mode conversion message to a terminal that hasnot transmitted or received a request for a video call, before themobile communication terminal is converted into the selected phone callmode, and the message may comprise the selected phone call mode andinformation on the user of the third terminal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The implementation of this document will be described in detail withreference to the following drawings in which like numerals refer to likeelements.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating an environment for multipartyvideo call communication according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of amobile communication terminal according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the process of a method forconverting a mode of a multiparty video call of the mobile communicationterminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating one example of screen images for receivinga request for establishing a video call from a third terminal during avideo call according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating one example of screen images for receivinga request for establishing to a video call from the third terminalduring video chatting according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a second phone call mode according tothe embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a first phone call mode according to theembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the present invention when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings. The same reference numerals denote the sameelements throughout the specification. In describing the presentinvention, if a detailed explanation for a related known function orconstruction is considered to unnecessarily divert the gist of thepresent invention, such explanation will be omitted but would beunderstood by those skilled in the art.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a multiparty video callenvironment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 1, a multiparty video call environment 100 maycomprise a mobile communication terminal 110, a communication network120, and a call server 130.

The mobile communication terminal 110 according to the present inventionmay comprise various mobile terminals such as PDAs (Personal DigitalAssistants), mobile phones, and the like.

The communication network 120 may comprise a circuit switching networkcomprising a fixed line telephone network such as a PSTN (PublicSwitched Telephone Network) and a mobile communication network such as aPLMN (Public Land Mobile Network). Also, the communication network 120may comprise a packet switching network such as a PDSN (Public SwitchingData Network) that may interwork with a data network such as an IP(Internet Protocol) network comprising a fixed line Internet and thewireless Internet. In addition, the communication network 120 maycomprise various systems such as a router for interfacing varioussignals comprising an audio signal and a multimedia data packet, an MSC(Mobile Switching Center), and a base station, etc.

Accordingly, the communication network 120 may provide not only acommunication path for performing voice call communications with a thirdterminal but also a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), a video callservice, an instant message service, and various session-basedmultimedia services, etc., via an IP-based network in conformity withnext-generation mobile communication standards such as 3GPP. Inaddition, the communication network 120 may provide a connection pathallowing the mobile communication terminal 110 to be connected withvarious call servers 130 therethrough so as to be provided with diverseservices, and a communication path allowing data transmission andreception between the mobile communication terminal 110 and a connectedcall server 130.

When call connection is established between or among two or moreparties, the call server 130 may transmit information about the user ofthe mobile communication terminal 110 and another party (or otherparties) participating in the multiparty call communications to the userof the mobile communication terminal 110 and the other parties.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of amobile communication terminal 110 according to the embodiment of thepresent invention.

The mobile communication terminal 110 according to the embodiment of thepresent invention may comprise a communication module 210, a displayunit 220, a memory unit 230, an input unit 240, a controller 250, and acamera module 260.

The respective elements may be connected by a bus, but without beinglimited thereto, some or the entirety of the elements may be connectedby respective dedicated lines.

The communication module 210 is a wireless communication unit thattransmits and receives audio and packet data to and from thecommunication network 120. The communication module 210 is requisite forimplementing a communication function such as audio/video communicationsand message transmission and reception, etc.

The display unit 220 may display a state of the mobile communicationterminal 110 or various pieces of information according to a controlsignal outputted from the controller 250. The display unit 220 maydisplay an image received from a terminal of another party (i.e., asecond terminal) or an image received from a terminal of yet anotherparty (a third terminal) through the communication module 210 and a menufor selecting a phone call mode. The phone call mode will be describedlater.

The memory unit 230 may comprise a non-volatile memory that storesprograms and data required for performing various functions provided bythe mobile communication terminal 110 and volatile memory thattemporarily stores various data generated according to operations of themobile communication terminal 110.

The input unit 240 may receive various information or commands from theuser and may be implemented as a keypad having various numeric keys,direction keys and function keys or a touch screen. The input unit 240may receive a command for selecting one of phone call modes.

The controller 250 may be implemented as a processor. The controller 250controls general operations of the mobile communication terminal 110 andthe operations of the elements of the mobile communication terminal 110.In addition, in a state that the mobile communication terminal 110 isperforming a video call or video chatting with the second terminal, whena request for a video call or video chatting with a third terminal istransmitted or received, the controller 250 may display a menu forselecting a phone call mode on the display unit 220 and maintain theestablished phone call mode or converts the mobile communicationterminal 110 to a different phone call mode according to a phone callmode selected through the input unit 240 to perform multi-party videocommunications.

The camera module 260 may be implemented with a digital still videocamera as a basic component that can capture a still image or video, andcomprise a lens (not shown), an image pickup device such as a CCD(Charge Coupled Device) (not shown), and a camera body (not shown) inwhich components of the camera module 260 are mounted. The camera module260 may comprise a plurality of camera units.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the process of a method forconverting a mode of a multiparty video call of the mobile communicationterminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating one example of screen images for receivinga request for establishing a video call from a third terminal during thevideo call according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating one example of screen images for receivinga request for establishing a video call from the third terminal duringvideo chatting according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The method for converting a mode of a multiparty video call will now bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

With reference to FIG. 3, when a video call (or video chatting) isestablished between the mobile communication terminal 110 and the secondterminal, the mobile communication terminal 110 performs a video callthrough a high speed packet data service (S310). Namely, the controller250 of the user terminal 110 may process an image captured by the cameramodule 260, a voice inputted through a speaker (not shown), and/or textor image inputted through the input unit 240, or process an image,voice, and/or text received from the second terminal.

As the video call is established between the user terminal 110 and thesecond terminal, the controller 250 of the user terminal 110 may processan image of the user (referred to as ‘a first image’, hereinafter)acquired through the camera module 260 and an image of another party(referred to as ‘a second image’, hereinafter), which has beentransmitted by the second terminal and received by the user terminal 110through the communication module 210 and display the first and secondimages on the display unit 220 (S320).

Regarding a screen image 410 in FIG. 4, when the video call isestablished between the user terminal 110 and the second terminal, thecontroller 250 may display on the display unit 220 a first image 411 anda second image 412 along with identification marks 413 and 414 thatdiscriminately identify the first and second images 411 and 412. In thiscase, only the second image 412 may be displayed on the display unit 220according to a user selection.

Regarding a screen image 510 in FIG. 5, when the mobile communicationterminal is converted into the one-to-one video chatting mode in thestate that the video call has been established between the user terminal110 and the second terminal, the controller 250 may display on thedisplay unit 220 a chatting window 515 comprising an input window forinputting text data and an output window for sequentially displayinginputted text data and received text data, as well as the first andsecond images 511 and 512.

During the video call or video chatting between the user terminal 110and the second terminal, when a request for a video call or videochatting is transmitted to or received from a third terminal (S330), thecontroller 250 displays a screen image for selecting a phone call modeon the display unit 220 of the user terminal 110 (S340). In addition,the controller 250 may transmit a menu for selecting a phone call modeto the third terminal through the communication module 210 according toa user selection. When the user terminal 110 or the third terminalselects a phone call mode, the controller 250 converts the user terminal110 to the selected phone call mode to perform a multiparty video call(S350).

Also, in this case, the controller 250 may transmit a phone call modeconversion message informing that the phone call mode of the userterminal 110 has been converted, to the second terminal with which theuser terminal 110 has been connected for the video call. In this case,the message may comprise detailed information of the selected phone callmode, information about the user of the third terminal to which theestablishment of the video call or the video chatting has beenrequested.

The phone call mode may comprise a first phone call mode in which thevideo call or video chatting with the second terminal is put on hold anda video call or video chatting is additionally established with thethird terminal, and a second phone call mode in which a video call orvideo chatting is simultaneously established among the three parties;the user terminal, the second terminal, and the third terminal.

The first phone call mode may be classified into a video call mode(referred to as ‘a first video call mode’, hereinafter) in which theestablished video call or video chatting with the second terminal istemporarily put on hold and the user terminal 110 is additionallyconnected with the third terminal to or from which the request forestablishing a video call has been transmitted or received, and a videochatting mode (referred to as ‘a first video chatting mode’,hereinafter) in which the established video call or video chatting withthe second terminal is temporarily put on hold and the user terminal 110is newly connected with the third terminal to or from which the requestfor establishing video chatting has been transmitted or received.

The second phone call mode may be classified into a video call mode(referred to as ‘a second video call mode’, hereinafter) in which theuser terminal 110, the second terminal, and the terminal which hasrequested establishment of a video call are simultaneously connected,and a video chatting mode (referred to as ‘a second video chattingmode’, hereinafter) in which the user terminal, the second terminal, andthe third terminal which has requested establishment of video chattingare simultaneously connected.

If the call connection with the second terminal is not temporarily puton hold but completely cut off, for example, if the second terminalterminates its call connection upon receiving the phone call modeconversion message, the video call is performed only between the userterminal 110 and the third terminal in the one-to-one video call mode orin one-to-one video chatting mode.

Regarding a screen image 420 in FIG. 4, when the second video call mode422 is selected from a phone call mode select screen image 421, thepreviously established one-to-one video call mode between the userterminal 110 and the second terminal is converted into the video callmode in which the user terminal 110, the second terminal, and the thirdterminal which has requested establishment of a video call are allsimultaneously connected. Accordingly, the three parties are connectedto conduct video communications.

If a first video call mode 423 is selected from the select screen image421, the previously established one-to-one video call between the userterminal 110 and the second terminal is temporarily put on hold and theuser terminal 110 and the third terminal which has requestedestablishment the video call are connected to perform a one-to-one videocall.

When a second video chatting mode 424 is selected, the user terminal110, the second terminal, and the third terminal which has requested theestablishment of the video call may be all simultaneously connected toperform video chatting.

Although not shown, for example, when a request for establishment ofvideo chatting is received from the third terminal and the first videochatting mode is selected, the previously established one-to-one videocall between the user terminal 110 and the second terminal istemporarily put on hold, and the user terminal 110 and the thirdterminal that has requested the establishment of video chatting areconnected to perform video chatting in the one-to-one manner.

Meanwhile, with reference to FIG. 5, if a request for establishment of avideo call is received from the third terminal while the user terminal110 and the second terminal are performing video chatting, likewise asin the case where establishment of the video call is requested by thethird terminal during the established video call between the userterminal 110 and the second terminal, the controller 250 may display thescreen image for selecting a phone call mode on the display unit 220 ofthe user terminal 110.

For example, when establishment of a video call is requested by thethird terminal while the user terminal 110 and the second terminalperform video chatting, similarly to the case where the video call isrequested by the third terminal while the user terminal 110 and thesecond terminal perform the video call as shown in FIG. 4, the firstvideo call mode 522, a second video call mode 523, a first videochatting mode 524, and a second video chatting mode (not shown) may beexecuted.

In a different embodiment of the present invention, the user maypreviously set a phone call mode by manipulating the input unit 240before receiving the request for establishment of the video call or thevideo chatting from the third terminal. Accordingly, the user terminal110 may be automatically converted into the pre-set phone call mode uponreceiving the request for establishment of the video call or the videochatting.

In a still different embodiment of the present invention, when the userterminal 110 requests establishment of a video call or video chattingfrom the third terminal, while performing the video call or videochatting with the second terminal, the screen image for selecting aphone call mode may be displayed on the display unit 220 of the userterminal 110 and the user may select a phone call mode.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a second phone call mode according tothe embodiment of the present invention

When the user terminal 110 is converted into the second video call modeaccording to a user selection, the controller 250 may display screenimages 610 and 620 as shown in FIG. 6 on the display unit 220 of theuser terminal 110. The screen image 610 may be displayed when threeterminals including the user terminal perform video call or videochatting, and the screen image 620 may be displayed when four terminalsincluding the user terminal 110 perform video call or video chatting.

Regarding the screen image 610, the controller 250 may display a firstimage 611, a second image 612, and an image 613 (referred to as ‘a thirdimage’, hereinafter) of the third terminal which has transmitted orreceived a request for establishment of the video call or the videochatting. The controller 250 may display only the second and thirdimages 612 and 613, excluding the first image 611, according to a userselection.

In this case, the controller 250 may divide the screen to display thethird and second images such that they do not overlap with each other.

When the second or the third image is selected, the controller 250 maydisplay on the display unit 220 the menu for selecting a phone call modeto be converted (i.e., to which the user terminal 110 may be converted)in connection with a terminal of the selected image.

For example, as for the screen image 610 in FIG. 6, when the user wantsto convert the video call with the third terminal into a different phonecall mode in the second video call mode, he may select the third image613 through a key input or a touch input. Then, the menu for selecting aphone call mode may be displayed on the display unit 220 and the usermay select a phone call mode, i.e., the video chatting mode, desired tobe converted in connection with the third terminal, thus converting thephone call mode to the selected phone call mode.

In addition, both the second image 612 and the third image 613 may beselected and the current second video call mode may be converted intothe second video chatting mode, in connection with both the secondterminal and the third terminal.

The screen image 620 in FIG. 6 additionally includes an image 624 of astill third terminal when the still third terminal participates in thevideo call communication among the three parties during the second videocall mode, so the video call is performed among the four parties.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a first phone call mode according to theembodiment of the present invention.

A screen image 710 is displayed when the third terminal (A) requests avideo call and the user terminal 110 selects the first video call modewhile performing video chatting with the second terminal (B).

When the third terminal (A) requests the video call while the userterminal 110 is performing video chatting with the second terminal (B)and if the user terminal 110 selects the first phone call mode, theestablished one-to-one video chatting between the user terminal 110 andthe second terminal (B) is temporarily put on hold and the user terminal110 and the third terminal (A), which has requested establishment of avideo call, are connected to perform video call communication in aone-to-one manner.

Accordingly, the controller 250 may deactivate the screen image of thevideo chatting with the second terminal (B) and activate a video callscreen image with the third terminal (A). In this case, like the screenimage 710 as shown in FIG. 7, the controller 250 may display only thevideo call screen image with the third terminal (A) in the active stateas an entire screen image on the display unit 220 according to a userselection.

In this case, like the screen image 710 as shown in FIG. 7, the videocall screen image with the third terminal (A) in the active state maycomprise a first image 711 and a third image 712, and in this case, onlythe third image 712 may be displayed as a video call screen imageentirely on the display unit 220 according to a user selection.

Because the video chatting screen image with the second terminal (B) isdeactivated, it is not displayed on the display unit 220. The videochatting screen image with the second terminal (B) may comprise thefirst and second images, and the video chatting screen image with thesecond terminal (B) may be configured only by the second image accordingto a user selection.

When the video call screen image with the third terminal (A) isconfigured only by the third image 712 according to a user selection andthe video chatting screen image with the second terminal (B) isconfigured only by the second image, the controller 250 may divide thescreen such that the second and third images do not overlap thereon todisplay both the second and third images entirely on the display unit220.

In this case, when the second image or third image is selected, thecontroller 250 may display on the display unit 220 the menu forselecting a phone call mode desired to be converted in connection with aterminal of the selected image.

For example, regarding the screen image 710 in FIG. 7, when the userwants to convert into a different phone call mode during the video callmode in connection with the third terminal (A), he may select the thirdimage 712 through a key input or a touch input. Then, the menu forselecting a phone call mode may be displayed on the display unit 220 andthe user may convert the current phone call mode to the one-to-one videochatting mode in connection with the third terminal (A).

Alternatively, the user may also select the second image (not shown) ofthe second terminal (B) as well as the third image of the third terminal(A) to convert the user terminal 110 into the second phone call mode.

The screen image 720 in FIG. 7 is displayed when the third terminal (B)requests the video call while the user terminal 110 is performing videocall communication with the second terminal (A), and the user terminal110 selects the first video chatting mode.

That is, when the third terminal (B) requests the video call while theuser terminal 110 is performing video call communication with the secondterminal (A) and if the user terminal 110 selects the first videochatting mode, the previously established one-to-one video call betweenthe user terminal 110 and the second terminal (A) is temporarily put onhold and the user terminal 110 and the third terminal (B) which hasrequested the establishment of the video call are connected to performvideo chatting in a one-to-one manner.

Accordingly, the video call screen image with the second terminal (A) isdeactivated and a video chatting screen image with the third terminal(B) is activated. In this case, like the screen image 720 in FIG. 7,only the video chatting screen image with the third terminal (B) in theactive state may be entirely displayed on the display unit 220.

The video chatting screen image with the activated third terminal (B)may comprise a first image 721, a third image 722, and a chatting window725. The video chatting screen image with the third terminal (B) may beconfigured only by the third image 722 according to a user selection.The video call screen image with the deactivated second terminal (A) isnot currently displayed on the display unit 220 and comprises the firstand second images. Alternatively, the video call screen image with thesecond terminal (A) may be configured only by the second image accordingto a user selection.

If the video call screen image with the second terminal (A) isconfigured only by the second image (not shown) and the video chattingscreen image with the third terminal (B) is configured only by the thirdimage 722 according to a user selection, the controller 250 may dividethe screen such that the second and third images do not overlap todisplay both the second and third images entirely on the display unit220.

In this case, when the second or third image is selected, the controller250 may display on the display unit 220 the menu for selecting a phonecall mode to be converted in connection with a terminal of the selectedimage.

For example, regarding the screen image 720 in FIG. 7, if the user wantsto convert the user terminal 110 into a different phone call mode in thevideo chatting mode in connection with the third terminal (B), he mayselect the third image 722 through a key input or a touch input. Then,the menu for selecting a phone call mode may be displayed on the displayunit 220 and the user may select the one-to-one video call mode toconvert the phone call mode in connection with the third terminal (B).

Alternatively, the user may also select the second image (not shown) ofthe second terminal (A) as well as the third image to convert the userterminal 110 into the second video call mode or the second videochatting mode.

Regarding the screen images 710 and 720 in FIG. 7, the video call screenimage with the second terminal (A) and the video chatting screen imagewith the third terminal (B) may be discriminated by, for example,identification marks such as taps 716, 717, 726, and 727 in theirdisplay.

In another embodiment, with the user terminal 110 performing multipartyvideo call communication in the first phone call mode, upon selectingthe tap 717 or another icon (not shown) indicating the video chattingscreen image with the deactivated second terminal (B) in the screenimage 710 in FIG. 7, the controller 250 may put the one-to-one videocall with the activated third terminal (A) on hold and activateone-to-one video chatting with the second terminal (B) in the inactivestate. In this case, only an image associated with the one-to-one videochatting with the activated second terminal (B) may be displayedentirely on the display unit 220. Namely, the screen image configurationfor video call communication such as the screen image 710 in FIG. 7displayed on the display unit 220 may be converted into the screen imageconfiguration for the video chatting such as the screen image 720displayed on the display unit 220, and vice versa.

In a different embodiment of the present invention, the method forconverting a mode of a multiparty video call involving three terminals(three parties) as described above may be applicable to a multipartyvideo call involving four or more terminals (four or more parties), in asimilar manner.

As described above, because the mobile communication terminal can befreely converted from the one-to-one video call to one-to-many(multiparty) video call, user convenience can be enhanced.

In addition, in converting into the multiparty video call, the phonecall mode with the participants can be individually or collectivelyselected or converted, and a user interface is provided to allow theuser to select a desired individual or a desired phone call mode toperform a call with each participant, so the phone call mode can befreely converted.

In the embodiments described above, audible announcements may be playedto announce to a user the name of a party attempting to join, orjoining, and established video call.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in acomputer-readable medium using, for example, computer software,hardware, or some combination thereof. For a hardware implementation,the embodiments described herein may be implemented within one or moreapplication specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signalprocessors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs),programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays(FPGAs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors,other electronic units designed to perform the functions describedherein, or a selective combination thereof.

For a software implementation, the embodiments described herein may beimplemented with separate software modules, such as procedures andfunctions, each of which perform one or more of the functions andoperations described herein. The software codes can be implemented witha software application written in any suitable programming language andmay be stored in memory, and executed by a controller or processor.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variation can be made in the present invention withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it isintended that the present invention cover the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

1. A mobile communication terminal having a multiparty video callfunction, comprising: a wireless communication module; a display unitconfigured to display a second image received from a second terminal ora third image received from a third terminal via the communicationmodule; an input unit configured to receive a command for selecting oneof phone call modes; and a controller operatively connected to thecommunication module, the display unit and the input unit, thecontroller configured to display a menu for selecting a phone call modeon the display unit when a request for a video call or video chattingwith the third terminal is transmitted or received while performingvideo call communication or video chatting with the second terminal, andmaintain an established call mode or convert the established call modeto a different phone call mode according to a phone call mode selectedvia the input unit to perform multiparty video call communication. 2.The terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured totransmit the menu to the third terminal via the communication module. 3.The terminal of claim 1, wherein the selected phone call mode comprises:a first phone call mode in which the video call or video chatting withthe second terminal is put on hold and a video call or video chattingwith the third terminal is subsequently established; and a second phonecall mode in which the third terminal is added to the video call or thevideo chatting with the second terminal.
 4. The terminal of claim 3,wherein the controller is configured to convert the established callmode to a different phone call mode by converting from a one-to-onevideo call mode or a one-to-one video chatting mode with the secondterminal into the second phone call mode.
 5. The terminal of claim 3,wherein the controller is configured to divide a screen of the displayunit to display the third image and the second image such that they donot overlap when the mobile communication terminal is converted into thesecond phone call mode.
 6. The terminal of claim 5, wherein thecontroller is configured to display the menu on the display unit whenthe second image or the third image is selected via a user input.
 7. Theterminal of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to displayonly the third image when the mobile communication terminal is convertedinto the first phone call mode.
 8. The terminal of claim 3, wherein thecontroller is configured to divide a screen of the display unit todisplay the third image and the second image such that the third imageand the second image do not overlap when the mobile communicationterminal is converted into the first phone call mode.
 9. The terminal ofclaim 8, wherein the controller is configured to display the menu on thedisplay unit when the second image or the third image is selected. 10.The terminal of claim 8, wherein when the second image or the thirdimage is selected, the controller is configured to establish a videocall or to perform video chatting with the terminal corresponding to theselected second or third image while placing on hold the terminal notcorresponding to the selected second or third image.
 11. The terminal ofclaim 3, wherein the third image and the second image are discriminatelydistinguished by a displayed identification mark when the mobilecommunication is converted into the first phone call mode.
 12. Theterminal of claim 11, wherein the identification mark is discriminatelydisplayed by at least one of the phone call modes and user informationof each terminal.
 13. The terminal of claim 11, when the identificationmark is selected, the controller is configured to establish a video callor perform video chatting with a terminal of a corresponding image andmerge the video call or video chatting with a terminal on hold.
 14. Theterminal of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to displayonly an image corresponding to a selected identification mark.
 15. Amethod for converting a mode of a multiparty video call of a mobilecommunication terminal, the method comprising: wirelessly transmittingor receiving a request for a video call or video chatting with a thirdterminal while performing video call communication or video chattingwith a second terminal; displaying a screen image for selecting one ofphone call modes when a video call is established; identifying a phonecall mode selected through an input unit of the mobile communicationterminal; and converting the mobile communication terminal into theselected phone call mode to perform multiparty video call communication.16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: converting the mobilecommunication terminal again into a phone call mode different from theselected phone call mode during the multiparty video call communication.17. The method of claim 15, further comprising: wirelessly transmittinga phone call mode conversion message to the second terminal before thestep of converting into the selected call mode, wherein the messagecomprises the selected phone call mode and information regarding a userof the third terminal.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the selectedphone call mode comprises: a first phone call mode in which the videocall or video chatting with the second terminal is put on hold and avideo call or video chatting with the third terminal is subsequentlyestablished; and a second phone call mode in which the third terminal isadded to the video call or the video chatting with the second terminal.19. A method for converting a mode of a multiparty video call of amobile communication terminal, the method comprising: wirelesslytransmitting or receiving a request for a video call or video chattingwith a third terminal while performing a video call or video chattingwith a second terminal; and automatically converting the mobilecommunication terminal into a pre-set phone call mode, among a pluralityof phone call modes, to perform multiparty video call communication,while establishing the video call or video chatting with the thirdterminal.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the plurality of phonecall modes comprise: a first phone call mode in which the video call orvideo chatting with the second terminal is put on hold and a video callor video chatting with the third terminal is subsequently established;and a second phone call mode in which the third terminal is added to thevideo call or the video chatting with the second terminal.